It's Poetry Friday, third week of February, here with Cheriee Weichel at Library Matters. She's introducing a favorite poet, Avis Harley from Vancouver. You'll find a lot to learn and enjoy from Cheriee as she shares about Avis and her work. Thanks for that, Cheriee, and for hosting!I'm teaming up with Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite of Indifference and others to write and bring attention to election/balloting issues this election year. In the 2018 election, I helped drive people to their polling places when needed, hoping to do that and more as the election nears.
Too many intimations of voter intimidation have been documented in these recent years and too many discoveries of hacked machines have caused alarm. Most, but not all states have been acting, as shown in this article, from The National Conference of State Legislatures. It is one that gives information from all the states as to what has been, by law, decided for the use of paper ballots. I hope you find it useful.
Muddy Tech Trail
Yes, I have my ballot.
And yesterday dropped it in.
I hope it will be counted.
I'm wishing for a win.
But with the news reported
of mysteries and hacks.
I'm also counting on the truth
that America has our backs.
The truth is that I'm troubled
as never before I've been
that people in our country
ensure that we ALL win!
Linda Baie ©
Thank you for taking part in my project, Linda! I'm not sure there's anything more important than making sure our votes count.
ReplyDeleteIt's a frightening time in our election year, I agree. We all must pay attention and continue to fight for honesty. Thanks, Tabatha, I am grateful that you suggested our gathering!
DeleteIt amazes me how each county in each state has a different process for voting. I'm not sure if I believe all the hype, but it sure does make you wonder. I love your rhyming here. "ensure that we all win!"
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems that everyone needs to find one reliable way to do this voting thing! Thanks, Margaret!
DeleteI already read this on Tabatha's blog and I'm in awe of all of you writing on this topic. So good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth, perhaps we should keep doing it from now till the election in November? Yikes!
DeleteThanks for your poem Linda encouraging people to vote with paper ballots, and also be on the alert for ill handled ballots during the voting process!
ReplyDeleteI continue to be hopeful and worried, too, Michelle. What a time this is now and going to be until November. Thank you!
DeleteFantastic poem. I hope Tabatha runs the challenge again. I want to join it. I just couldn't make this one. Love the bold America has our backs. Yes, ma'am!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. It would be great to comment/write again in a couple of months, I agree. The news is not good, hoping we can all keep protesting.
DeleteLinda M., I didn't make it this time around either, but would like to shoot for the next one. (I'm sure there'll be a next one.) :)
DeleteLinda B., your poem is both wonderful and sad. I, too, am worried for our country as I've never been before.
Thanks, Karen, I agree, knowing it's a time to act, wonderful & sad. We cannot let things linger day by day. Hope there's a big group for next time!
DeleteThank you, Linda! I dropped my paper ballot in the ballot return box this week. I hope that all of our votes count--and that everyone votes. I really enjoyed your poem that poetically captures my feelings, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. In addition to ensuring the vote counting, we also want to help others know how important it is to vote! There is much to consider this year!
DeleteI've always felt reassured that I turn in a paper ballot in my small town. It seems so much less vulnerable than an electronic version. Good for you for participating in Tabatha's challenge.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know, Molly. I hope the importance of accuracy spreads everywhere!
DeleteSomehow this poem makes me so sad, that we just have to wish for this instead of knowing our country has our backs. I love that you drive folks to balloting places, Linda. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura! I don't think I've ever been so informed about the government actions going on, Laura. Yes, it is sad that this is happening.
DeleteLinda, your efforts to bring attention to election/balloting issues and ensure that all people vote. It is so important to be aware of issues and vote wisely. Your poem is one that all should read. the ending is strong.
ReplyDelete"The truth is that I'm troubled
as never before I've been
that people in our country
ensure that we ALL win!"
I hope that many get out to help people vote, Carol. It isn't easy for many. Thanks!
DeleteThis afternoon a young man came to my daughter's house with cards to vote for Elizabeth Warren. My daughter said that there are changes in Virginia's election process.Anyone can vote in the primary so she said this visit gave her incentive to vote for Warren in the primary.
DeleteIt might be that "extra" that helps for sure, Carol. Love hearing this!
DeleteI'm impressed by Tabitha for organizing this project, and for all of you for creating such important poems.
ReplyDeleteThese days I am aware of how fragile democracy really is. Not only to we have to ensure that everyone's votes are counted, we also have to ensure that everyone has equal access to polling stations!
It feels like a kick in the pants, a wake up, Cheriee. I have thought our government was strong, until these past three years. And I am glad Tabatha gathered us to write. Thanks! I so enjoyed your post this week!
DeleteMaking sure our votes count takes me back to my childhood home, a local polling place. And my mother's insistence on strict adherence to all the rules by all the workers. I share your troubling thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice memory, Ramona. I remember going with my parents to vote, but little else. Thanks! Here's to working together to make things better!
DeleteThat's the truth, Linda! I wish I had more confidence than I do. At least they use paper ballots in my district!
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know, Michelle! Thanks!
DeleteI enjoyed your poem when I read it on Tabatha's blog, and I'm glad to revisit it again here. I do hope that people will not give up hope in the face of the news that seems to get worse every day. We haven't voted yet (no elections in which we could vote yet), so I'm curious to see what their system is.
ReplyDeleteWe have mail-in ballots, so mine is in. We are one of the super Tuesday states, only a little over a week to go. It's going to be a year to remember! Thanks, Kay!
DeleteYes, troubled indeed, Linda. I'm doing what I can at the local level, inspired by a neighbor who ran for town office on the Dem. ticket and won - mostly by dint of hard work at getting out the vote, and educating people about the issues.
ReplyDeleteThis is the time to get going for sure, Tara. I am hopeful that all of us together can make change! Thanks!
DeleteThis is such a timely poem, Linda. Maryland went to paper ballots after the Bush/Gore election. They are electronically recorded, with the actual ballots saved for just in case!
ReplyDeleteYes, we've done paper for a long time, also machine counted, but as you wrote, a backup! Time to be vigilant all this year! Thanks, Laura
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